And Now, A Little Something for Avengers Fans at the Oscars

Over the past few months, we’ve stood by as Academy Awards producers have valiantly attempted to appeal to every possible television-watching demographic by announcing a range of special guests and presentations. First, they revealed that Family Guy creator (and teenage-male-approved) Seth MacFarlane would serve as the 2013 host. Then they teased a James Bond 50th-anniversary presentation that may or may not involve uniting all six actors who have played the iconic spy for the first time ever onstage. They announced that Adele would perform, Meryl Streep would present, Barbra Streisand would sing in her first Oscars performance in 36 years, and various stars would take part in a special movie-musical tribute.

Now, for the viewers who may not be bowled over by a Chicago dance number, producers have revealed that Hollywood’s very own superheroes will assemble onstage at the Dolby Theatre on February 24. Avengers co-stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, and Mark Ruffalo will present an Oscar together (perhaps to liven up an effects category). In their effort to appeal to all attention spans, producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have also vowed to cut out “the boring parts” of the ceremony, which they’ve somewhat scientifically pinpointed after watching 40 years’ worth of ceremonies as research. We presume that they are still trying to incorporate Beyoncé, sports, audience-voting, chocolate, and Downton Abbey into the program for the most well-rounded Academy Award telecast in history.